Fourth fest heralds Pearland park’s new features

By Yvette Orozco, STAFF WRITER

Published
1:10 pm CDT, Friday, June 28, 2019

In addition to the annual tradition of a fireworks display, the city of Pearland’s Fourth of July celebration this year will be at Independence Park, where the event will showcase new features such as an amphitheater, stage, new playground and a mural. The musical headline act is former “The Voice” performer Jake Worthington at 8 p.m.

In addition to the annual tradition of a fireworks display, the city of Pearland’s Fourth of July celebration this year will be at Independence Park, where the event will showcase new features such as an

In addition to the annual tradition of a fireworks display, the city of Pearland’s Fourth of July celebration this year will be at Independence Park, where the event will showcase new features such as an amphitheater, stage, new playground and a mural. The musical headline act is former “The Voice” performer Jake Worthington at 8 p.m.

In addition to the annual tradition of a fireworks display, the city of Pearland’s Fourth of July celebration this year will be at Independence Park, where the event will showcase new features such as an

The city of Pearland’s Fourth of July celebration this year will be at Independence Park, where in addition to fireworks and live music, the event will showcase new features such as an amphitheater, stage, new playground and a mural.

The day’s free events will include an 8 p.m. performance by Jake Worthington, Season 6 runner-up on the NBC TV series “The Voice,” and will end with a 9 p.m. fireworks display.

The evening starts at 6 p.m. in the park, 3449 Pearland Parkway, followed by an official ribbon-cutting at 6 p.m., unveiling work from the first phase of the park’s renovation project. The park opens at 5:30 p.m. Parking is available at Pearland High School, 3775 S. Main St., and in the park via Liberty Drive entrance.

Along with a variety of events geared to children and food lovers — food trucks will be on site — the city will host a patriotic veterans salute. At 6 p.m., the Slags will take the stage.

Parks and Recreation Director Christopher Orlea sees the event as the ideal opportunity for the city to reintroduce the park to the public after renovations that started in 2017 through bond funds approved by voters in a 2007 referendum.

The city opened the park 43 years ago during the nation’s bicentennial year in 1976. It has grown, Orlea said, as the city has grown.

“This park was the original community recreation amenity installed by the city,” he said. “Through upgrades and changes over the decades, the city has continually worked to meet the needs of an evolving community.”

The 2007 bond referendum came about, said Orlea, as a response to those changes.

Parking:Free parking is available at Pearland High School, 3775 S. Main St., and inside the park via entry from Liberty Drive.

“When the desires of the community surpassed basic renovations, the referendum presented to the community in 2007 paved the way for the current project,” he said.

“It is one of the many things we have to celebrate in the 125-year history of Pearland, and we will use this event as an opportunity to raise awareness of this special occasion,” Orlea said.

In addition to food vendors, the public can bring their own food and drinks, including alcohol into the park. Visitors are encouraged to provide their own seating and picnic supplies. Glass containers, pets and tobacco are prohibited.

Drop-off for festival-goers with disabilities will be at the park from the Liberty/John Lizer intersection.